Undescended testicle repair

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Male reproductive anatomy

Before and after testicular repair

Overview

Recovery

Risks

Undescended testicle repair

Definition:

Undescended testicle repair is surgery to correct undescended testes (cryptorchism).

In normal fetal development, the testicles develop in the abdomen and descend into the scrotum during the last months before birth. In 3.4% of newborns, however, 1 or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum. About half of these cases will descend within the first year of life without medical attention. This surgery is recommended for patients whose testicles do not descend on their own.

Alternative Names:

Orchidopexy; Inguinal orchidopexy; Orchiopexy; Repair of undescended testicle; Cryptorchidism repair

Description:

While the child is unconscious and pain-free under general anesthesia, an incision is made in the groin, where most undescended testes are lodged. The spermatic cord is located and freed from surrounding tissues to maximize its length. A small incision is made in the scrotum and a pouch is created. The testicle is carefully pulled down into the scrotum. The testicle is stitched in place in the scrotum and the incisions are stitched closed.

Indications:

Undescended testicles often descend into the scrotum by 1 year of age. It is unusual, however, for testicles to descend on their own after the age of 1 year. This surgery is recommended for infants older than 1 year whose testicles have not descended into the scrotum (cryptorchidism).

This condition is more common in premature babies. Most often, only 1 side is affected.

Undescended testicles may cause infertility and are more prone to developing malignant tumors in later years.

Review Date: 7/28/2004
Reviewed By: Scott M. Gilbert, M.D., Department of Urology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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